CAPTIVES

Dark Wolf backed away from her slowly, and Lou was too stunned to do anything about it.

"I mean it," He said before ducking out of the flap.

Lou's trembling hand kept the gun trained at the door for a moment longer, she was not sure he was gone for good. She heard his footsteps retreating, and shuddered violently.

What the hell did he mean by that?she wondered. He'd said no one here that she cared about would survive…but with the exception of Jimmy the people she cared about were his own blood.

"Lou? Lou?" Jimmy called out softly.

Lou jumped in surprise and forgot all about Dark Wolf. Jimmy was conscious and joy lit up her face.

She rushed to his side and grabbed his good hand, "Here I am. Oh Jimmy, I'm so glad to see you!"

He was still groggy and exhausted, his eyes were still glazed from the fever and the whiskey. But the worst had passed, Lou knew, and he would live.

"Curly?" He began, "I saw him get shot…"

"Curly made it back. Raven Wing is caring for him."

"It was horrible. They were waiting for us…a trap," He began, his brow wrinkling with pain at the memory of the ambush.

"Shhh," Lou told him, and put her hand on his lips, "Don't think about it. Its over, and you won."

Jimmy looked away from her, "We didn't win. Too many were hurt and killed for anyone to have won. But at least we stopped them."

He suddenly remembered the arrow in his arm and jumped, trying to pull himself up and study the arm himself.

"Lay still! You aren't in any shape to be moving!" Lou snapped at him.

He winced in pain, but ignored her. He strained to see his arm. When he saw the arrow was gone he turned to Lou questioningly.

She sighed, knowing he remembered nothing from the night before. "I took it out. There was no one else to help. You were very sick," She said, tears filling her eyes as she finally realized the whole ordeal was over.

His eyes finally rested on her fully as he seemed to come to his senses. His jaw clenched tightly when he noticed her split lip and a bruise appearing around her temple.

"Who did that to you? Dark Wolf?" He demanded with as much strength as he had.

Lou giggled nervously and wrapped her hand around his again, "No, silly, you did!"

"What?" He said in bewilderment, "I did not!"

"You were so sick you were thrashing all around. Damn near killed me. I'm surprised I didn't just shoot you and put you out of my misery!" Lou smiled gently.

Jimmy used another burst of energy to reach up and run his finger lightly under her lip, "I'd deserve it for doing this to you!"

"Don't worry about it," Lou assured him, "Let's just say I owe you a good punch in the ribs sometime."

He still looked doubtful and horribly guilty. Lou sighed and turned from him, disentangling her hand, "Let me fix you some broth."

He groaned.

"I don't want to hear it! You have to get your strength back up. It's not my fault you downed a whole bottle of whiskey! What were you doing with whiskey anyway, Hickok?"

He knew she was teasing him, but was hardly in the mood. "For just such an emergency," He told her shortly.

She excused his bad mood. He was still in horrible pain and not only that, he had all the symptoms of a bad hangover. He's probably wishing I'd let him die about now, Lou thought with a slight smile as she went back down to the creek to pick up the bucket and fetch some more water. Dawn was breaking and slowly people were appearing, ready to take stock of the damage done to the tribe.

"Today's the big day," Jimmy said suddenly a while later as Lou prepared his broth. Lou's back, which was turned to him, stiffened as he continued, "Curly told me yesterday before the attack that we would need to be married as soon as we got back, before the new moon."

Lou nodded but said nothing. She suddenly remembered what Dark Wolf had said to her. If you marry him tomorrow, not a soul you care about here will survive the night. Surely he was only trying to scare her. He could do nothing to the chief's daughter, Curly, or to her or Jimmy…could he?

"Something on your mind?" Jimmy wondered, and shifted restlessly. He couldn't tolerate being sick or hurt. It didn't agree with him to just lay around and have someone do everything for him. Even if that someone was Lou.

"Stay still," She growled without turning around. Jimmy wondered briefly if she had eyes in the back of her head or just amazingly keen ears.

"Something is bothering you!" Jimmy said, "Are you having doubts, do you want me to fight Dark Wolf? I've told you time and time again I think that might be a better idea."

"No!" Lou snapped more harshly then she intended, "We've been over this! This is the only way!" She wasn't about to add to Jimmy's worry by telling him of the threat.

She turned around with an apologetic expression. Bowing her head to avoid his hurt eyes she said softly, "I'm sorry, I've just had a really long night."

When she turned back to the fire, Jimmy let his eyes wander, though he dared not risk her wrath by moving. He spotted his blood soaked shirt lying where it had fallen when Lou had ripped it from him. Blood soaked cloths were every where. Jimmy then spotted the arrow, lying in two pieces, and realized how much she'd done for him, and how scared she must have been for him.

"Thank you Lou, for saving my life," Jimmy said, though it seemed a ridiculous understatement of the gratitude he felt.

She turned and smiled at him warmly. He noticed for the first time how exhausted she looked. The dark circles under her eyes and her pale skin told him she'd probably neither eaten nor slept since they had ridden out two days ago.

"It was my pleasure," She said gently and smiled at him very softly. Jimmy's heart thumped faster.

"Now, I think you need to get some rest," Jimmy said, and when she would have protested, insisted firmly, "Just hand me the broth, I'll be fine. The last thing we need is for you to take sick too!"

Lou was too tired to hold her head up, and nodded slowly. She refused, however, to sleep until after she spooned him the whole bowl of broth. Though his stomach objected violently, Jimmy swallowed every drop so Lou wouldn't worry.

"If you need anything promise you'll wake me up? And don't you go trying to move around or anything. You've lost a lot of blood, and you're still bleeding!" Lou began.

"Yes ma'am!" Jimmy laughed slightly but was sorry because it sent waves of pain radiating through his arm, "Go to sleep! I'm going to do the same! And if I need you don't think I'm too unselfish not to get you to come over and take care of me."

Lou smiled, knowing it was a lie, but loving him for it. She leaned down to kiss the top of his head, "I'm so glad you are safe!" She whispered, then went to lay on her blanket, where she fell asleep instantly.

Jimmy sighed and shook his head. Last night he thought he was a dead man. Today he was going to marry Lou. It baffled him the way things worked.

Lou found herself running through a misty field, screaming for Jimmy. Suddenly she saw him on his horse, and he smiled and began riding toward her without getting any closer. Dark Wolf emerged behind Jimmy with his bow drawn. Lou screamed, but was too late and too far away to help Jimmy when the arrow pierced his arm and he toppled off the horse. Lou ran until she was sure her lungs would burst and flung herself down next to Jimmy.

Her gasp echoed in the misty field. It wasn't Jimmy laying in the meadow, but Kid. And the arrow pierced his heart. His baby blue eyes turned to her for help, but she knew there was nothing she could do.

"No!" She screamed, "No! Kid, I love you! No! God, please!"

At that point he opened his eyes and told her, "Get up!"

Her brow wrinkled in confusion as she tried to make sense of his words.

"Get up, Lou! Lou, you're having a bad dream!" A voice said gently from somewhere behind her closed eyelids.

Lou gasped and sat straight up, damp with a cold sweat. Her chest heaved rapidly, and she felt as if she might be sick.

Raven Wing crouched in front of her, her hands resting gently on her shoulder.

Lou's eyes searched the teepee in confusion as she tried to orient herself. A dream, no a nightmare, she thought. She blinked down the tears that had started to gather and then looked back at Raven Wing.

"What are you doing here?" She wondered, then her eyes flew to Jimmy's empty bedroll and panic filled her voice, "Where is he! He's alright, isn't he?"

Raven Wing shook her shoulder gently, hoping to chase the last of the sleepy confusion from her, "He's fine. He has gone to prepare for your wedding ceremony. It is almost time."

"But he's hurt. He shouldn't be moving around like that! Where's Curly?"

"Curly is well. He had a nasty wound to his leg, but will heal completely."

"But Jimmy is still very weak! We can't get married today!" Lou began in a weak protest. She knew very well it wouldn't take a lot of strength to stand up and be married, but her dream about Kid had upset her.

It didn't take a brilliant doctor to know what the significance of the arrow piercing Kid's heart was. She would betray him and break his heart even more if she went through with the marriage.

Of course, he sure hadn't acted like he'd given a damn what she did since she'd refused his proposal, she thought somewhat bitterly. Then she thought of Jimmy and her feelings for him, and knew that Jimmy was every bit as confused as she was. Defiance over Kid was no reason to play with his wonderful heart, she thought guiltily. Not that they had much of a choice.

And then, there was Dark Wolf's threat to consider.

"Quit your sulking!" Raven Wing said lightly, "Come, lets get you ready! You will be the most beautiful bride the Sioux have ever seen!"

"I think they've already seen the most beautiful bride they ever will," Lou said kindly and followed Raven Wing out of the teepee and down to the pond.

Raven Wing hummed and worked on unlacing the intricate strings of the white dress she had given Lou while Lou bathed.

Lou couldn't seem to stop the trembling of her hands. That feeling was back, she realized, the same one she'd had when Jimmy had ridden away and come back nearly dead. Trying to shake the feeling had no effect.

"You know what the people are calling you, don't you?" Raven Wing asked when Lou surfaced from rinsing her hair.

"I can only imagine," Lou said with a slight smile.

"No, it is an honorable name," Raven Wing laughed, "Though Dark Wolf finds no pleasure in it."

"What then?" Lou wondered.

"Fire Dancer," Raven Wing smiled, "For the night when you and Curly were dancing. They all thought the Spirits were speaking to you then. They also call you that because of how you fought Dark Wolf with the fire. They admire you."

Lou blushed and then giggled at the absurdity of it. She could just imagine telling Cody to call her Fire Dancer.

"What do they call Jimmy?" She wondered, knowing it would someday make a good story.

"Fire Watcher," Raven Wing giggled, "Because he spends all his time getting you out of trouble!"

Lou laughed too, "I guess he does!"

"But the women think that is a good name because he looks at you with such love," When Lou shifted uncomfortably Raven Wing quickly added, "They call him Silver Guns too. But mostly Fire Watcher."

Lou sighed and Raven Wing watched the girl with pity. She loved Jimmy, the Sioux woman knew, but there was another who had claimed her heart long ago, and she would never give him up.

"Come, my friend, let's get you dressed," Raven Wing smiled.

Lou reluctantly allowed Raven Wing to slip the white dress over her head and begin tying it.

Lou glanced down at it. Certainly not the bridal gown of her little girl fantasies, but it was beautiful. The turquoise beadwork was intricate. The dress itself looked good on her slender figure. Raven Wing helped her into a pair of white moccasins. Then she motioned for Lou to follow her back to her tee pee. Lou sat quietly, lost in thought while Raven Wing brushed her hair until it shone. She then wove white ribbons in and out of her hair.

Finally she stepped away from Lou and studied her creation. Tears filled her eyes, "Very beautiful. Jimmy will be so pleased."

Lou sighed and tried to smile, but found she just couldn't. It was her wedding day and the only man she would ever want as her groom was miles and miles from the camp.

When tears threatened her lashes she closed them tightly and refused to let herself cry. Jimmy was making a big sacrifice too, she suddenly realized. It wasn't as if this was the way he'd planned his life to turn out either. For the first time she wondered if he would have preferred to fight Dark Wolf rather than marry her, and if that was the reason he'd kept asking if she was sure. He just hadn't wanted to hurt her feelings by telling her that he didn't want to marry her.

The thought left her mind a few minutes later when Raven Wing led her to the center of the village where Running Horse, Curly, Jimmy, and many other tribe members stood unsteadily. Tears misted her eyes when she saw how many of them were hurt badly.

Jimmy however, looked wonderful. They'd given him traditional Sioux garb to wear. The buckskin breeches and beaded vest looked almost natural on him. His black hat was no where to be found, and she could see the look in his eyes clearly. He wasn't going to regret marrying her, she realized. A cross of sorrow and gratitude filled her own eyes.

Jimmy felt as if any minute his heart might thump so forcefully against his chest that it would escape. She was beautiful. Her soft brown eyes were shining as she met his uncertainly, and she looked just perfect in the Sioux dress.

"Beautiful," Jimmy mouthed as she came to stand beside him.

"I'm not the only Pocahontas here now," She murmured and cracked a smile as she nodded to his clothing, "But it suits you."

He smiled and they turned their attention to the medicine man, who began reciting something in Lakota. Jimmy met Lou's eyes and held her stare for a long time as the age old Sioux passage was performed. Lou felt hypnotized by his eyes, and was so touched at his devotion that tears of joy welled in her own eyes.

Then the vision of Kid from her dream, pierced by an arrow played in her mind and Jimmy noticed her jump. Her eyes slid from his, the moment lost.

Lou let her eyes wander over the faces of the people who were her captors, but strangely also her friends, and then to the mountains and over them, towards Sweetwater.

She then searched for Dark Wolf, but found him nowhere. She stirred nervously and glanced back at Jimmy before looking over her shoulders, wondering where he was.

"What is it?" He wondered through clenched teeth, trying not to let anyone know he was talking.

"Dark Wolf isn't here," She commented.

"Good," He muttered, and they both turned their attention back to the medicine man.

He was almost done with the passage when a brave rode into the village at full speed, much like the event from the day before. The war cry went up.

He pulled up his horse inches from Lou, Jimmy, the medicine man, and Running Horse, sending a spray of dust upon all of them.

He spoke in rapid, panicked Lakota, and Raven Wing moved closer to Jimmy and Lou to translate, "Pony Soldiers are coming! They seem to know where the camp is! They will kill us all!"

Jimmy shook his head, "No, they won't! I'll go and serve as a mediator! They will listen to me!"

"You can't ride!" Lou cried, "None of you can! You are all hurt! If something does happen you won't have a chance of fighting back! You'll all be killed!"

Jimmy sighed, "It will be all right, Lou!"

"That's what you said last time you rode out, and you were just about dead when you rode back in!"

"The important thing is, I rode back in. This time will be different. I know I can help the Sioux! And then surely we'll be allowed to go home!" He looked to Curly.

"Curly, I want you to tell Running Horse right now that if anything happens to me, she is to be set free!"

Lou was already shaking her head when Running Horse nodded in agreement.

"I don't care about going home if you aren't alive!" She sobbed suddenly and threw her arms around his neck, "Please don't go Jimmy! I have a bad feeling! I can't explain it, but I just know something horrible is going to happen if you ride out of here!"

Shocked at her desperate attempts to get him to stay Jimmy peeled her away from his neck and placed hands on both of her shoulders, leaning down to look her in the eye. He'd never seen her so unglued.

"Now, Lou, I know you had a bad scare last night. We all did. But this won't be anything like that. The army is probably looking for us. If I tell them they've found us and we are okay, they'll leave everyone alone, and we'll go home, okay?"

She was already shaking her head, "Jimmy, I'm begging you…something isn't right!"

"Lou, darlin', I have to go!"

"Fine!" She sobbed out angrily, "Go out and get yourself killed! I'll be sure to get the others to throw you a nice funeral back in Sweetwater!"

Before Jimmy could respond she tore her arm from his grasp and ran from him, sobbing violently.

Jimmy put his hands on his hips and bowed his head. He'd like to attribute her hysteria to the typical worried woman scenario, but he knew her better. He trusted her. And yet, it didn't make any sense why she was so scared for him. The army, though they had a bad reputation, would not gun down a white man, even if he did try to represent the interests of the Indians. It didn't make sense for her to be so terrified for him.

"Will you go with them?" Raven Wing asked softly, and he jumped, having forgotten she was there.

"Yes," Jimmy said simply and looked at the beautiful woman, "Raven Wing, would you…"

She smiled and interrupted him, "Of course I'll look out for her. Don't worry."

Jimmy affectionately cradled her cheek then left her with her husband and went to get their horses.

A few minutes later the Sioux war party, looking very thin and not fierce at all, set out of camp. Lou watched them go from behind a tree, tears rolling down her face.

Jimmy glanced back to try and spot Lou, but he couldn't find her. Sighing and holding his slowly bleeding arm closer to him to keep it from moving, he set his jaw and looked ahead.

They were all riding out to protect their homes, their children, their women.

It would be the gravest mistake of all their lives…

To be continued…On to CHAPTER XI

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